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Parenting During a Pandemic to Maximize Emotional Wellness



The COVID-19 pandemic has tested all of us in ways that we could never have imagined just a few months ago. We have all been pulled away from our regular routines and practices, and forced to learn, work, and live very differently. Saint David's School is in its fifth week of distance learning. Throughout this strange time, our boys have continued to learn, grow, and collaborate with each other.  Supported by their teachers, the administration and, most importantly, their families, they are doing well.

While it may seem like we've been in this "new normal" forever, it's only been a matter of weeks. As time goes on, the emotional toll can increase and negatively impact us. In this environment, it is important to be sensitive to and aware of our boys' emotional well-being, as well as our own.

Toward this end, Saint David's recently held a virtual town hall in which our Consulting Psychologist, Dr. Michael Schwartzman, shared approaches shown to effectively maximize emotional wellness during trying times. Some of the thoughts he shared with parents follow:
  • Be sure to take care of yourself; it is important to manage your own anxieties in order to effectively help children manage theirs.
  • Identify and minimize your negative feelings.
  • Maintain routines like meals, study time, exercise. They ground us. 
  • Be honest with yourself. Communicate often, increase talk time and together time.
  • Have realistic expectations. Prioritize effort over achievement. Children are feeling a lot of loss right now.
  • Minimize children's exposure to disturbing content in the media.
  • Maintain rituals. 
  • Be sympathetic; reassuring but realistic. Assure your children that you are doing everything to keep them and your family safe.

Most important, and most comforting, was the takeaway that as parents we are the experts in our children's lives. We have provided continuity, care, and assurance to our children through other disruptive times. We’ve had to help them grow and learn in a range of situations. As parents and as teachers, we need to trust our instincts. And, importantly, we must ask for help if we need it.

We are hosting follow-up sessions by division with Dr. Schwartzman this week to address specific concerns of parents in our Lower and Upper Schools, as well as a session for our faculty and staff. In addition, this Friday our community will hold a prayer service to reflect upon these times and to look to our school's spiritual pillar. With faith, fortitude, and support, we will all get through this together.


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